With the theme "Hanoi Autumn: Come to Love," the  Hanoi Autumn Festival 2023 was successful as its diverse program of activities attracted about 80,000 visitors, according to the head of the Tourism Promotion Department.

On October 1, the Hanoi Autumn Carnival, part of the Hanoi Autumn Festival, was held in a lively and colorful way in the pedestrian area of Hoan Kiem Lake.
Up to 1,500 people, who are municipal civil servants, students, members of art groups and craftsmen from all over the city, joined a morning parade.

A booth selling banh cuon (steamed rice crepe) at the Hanoi Autumn Festival. Photo: Moc Mien/The Hanoi Times

Held under the theme "Bright Colors of Autumn," the festival featured performances by art groups and the presence of women dressed in ao dai (traditional long robes), which added a charming touch to the event.

Nguyen Thi Chanh, head of the Muong Gong Club in Phu Man commune, was happy that her ancient gong dance on the street delighted festival-goers.

"We are very happy to have the opportunity to interact with tourists and show people the cultural identity of the Muong ethnic group. We hope to have more opportunities like this to promote our national culture," Chanh said.

Participating in the Carnival parade, Tran Thanh Tung, an amateur runner, said, "The cultural activities and tourism promotion at the festival are very attractive not only for visitors to Hanoi but also for those who have lived in Hanoi for a long time like me."

"Every year in Autumn, I go to Hanoi to enjoy the gentle cool air. This year, Hanoi is organizing many unique cultural and tourist events, and I am lucky to come across one of them. This will be a highlight for fall tourism in the capital," said Tran Thi Thu, a tourist from Ho Chi Minh City,

In its first iteration, the Hanoi Autumn Festival featured 150 booths showcasing many products from trade villages, special dishes and gifts during the fall season in the capital and destinations across the country.

Many handicraft souvenirs and tours offered by travel agencies were sold out at the festival, including Hanoi Tourism Corporation's (Hanoitourist) East-Northwest route and cultural tourism.

A dragon dance at the Hanoi Autumn Festival. Photo: VNA

Nguyen Van Su, head of the Association of Handicraft, Ancient and Cultural Villages, said their 10 booths displayed horn combs and mother-of-pearl inlays from Thuy Ung Village; rattan and bamboo woven products from Phu Vinh Village, among other handicrafts and gifts made by artisans from trading villages.

Within the framework of the Hanoi Autumn Festival, the Culinary Culture Space at the Hanoi Children's Palace was also a magnet.

The space brought together 51 booths of professional associations, artisans, enterprises, and famous culinary establishments in Hanoi and the whole country, showcasing attractive dishes such as pho (beef and chicken noodle soup), bun thang (vermicelli noodles with various toppings), Phu Thuong sticky rice, and spring rolls.

Its highlight was the pho space, which brings together many of Hanoi's famous pho brands, such as Pho Thin, Pho No 2 Ly Quoc Su as well as different types of pho from other localities such as Nam Dinh, Ha Giang and Dak Lak.

Nguyen Anh Duong, Director of Hanoi Promotion Agency, said that the Culinary Space not only introduced the public to delicious dishes and prestigious culinary establishments of Hanoi and some localities but also to the long-standing culinary culture of Hanoi's past and present. Tourists came here to reminisce about the dishes they ate in their childhood or to hear stories about Hanoi's culinary tradition.

At the festival, folks are enjoying delicacies from all over the country. Photo: Moc Mien/The Hanoi Times

Nguyen Thi Lan, owner of a pho shop at 2 Ly Quoc Su Street, said that her stall in the culinary area was designed in the style of old Hanoi so that visitors could experience the culinary culture and lifestyle of Hanoians in the old centrally planned economy. She also revealed that the pho broth was simmered for 10 hours.

Nguyen Thu Duyen, a diner from Thanh Xuan district, said she was looking forward to enjoying the food here.

"It's not often that famous pho brands gather in one place, so it's an opportunity to enjoy and discover the differences in each pho dish from Hanoi and other provinces," she said.

The three-day Hanoi Autumn Festival offers numerous activities and venues to explore, creating an attractive festival atmosphere in tune with Hanoi's autumn. The success of the festival lies not only in attracting a large number of people and tourists but also in the prospect of becoming an autumn tourism brand for the capital.